Central Region Director's Page

Congratulations to the following Central Region teams that placed in the top 20 at 2010 World Finals that were held on May 26th - 29th at Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI.

Problem 1 - Nature Trail’R

Division 1:

Benchmark Elementary School - 20th Place

Problem 3 - Discovered Treasures

Division 2:

Madison Meadows Middle School - 15th Place

Division 3:

Tempe Prep Academy, Team B - 5th Place*

Older news below:

Congratulations to all of the Central Region teams who have qualified to go to World Finals, May 26^th-29^th at Michigan State University in East Lansing, MI.

Please check out the program guide above for all the information regarding the upcoming Tournament.

Welcome to the 2009-2010 Arizona Odyssey of the Mind. We look forward to another exciting year in the Central Region. Please remember to refer to this website on an ongoing basis during the year. You may also email me with additional questions at central@azodyssey.org. Here are a few informational facts to assist you. Please take the time to read & review the following:

1) International Membership Registration:
International registration is now open. Registration is done online. To register, go to odysseyofthemind.com website & click on registration tab. Each school only needs to purchase one (1) membership unless you are planning on having 2 teams compete in the same problem & same division (i.e. two Division 2 teams competing in the vehicle problem). This year’s problems will be mailed out when available & after your school is registered & payment is received.

2) State Registration:
State Registration will be available some time in the fall. Please keep referring to the azodyssey.org website. Each team planning on competing will need to register. Deadline for state registration will be January 15, 2010. You will need to register all teams planning on competing at regional tournament by that date. Registration after that date would be at the discretion of the Central Regional Director (me) and would need to pay a $50 late fee.

COACHES TRAINING & OTHER IMPORTANT DATES:
Ö Coaches Training has already been held for this year. The 2009-2010 Program Guide has all the information you will need as a coach. Please refer first to this guide. If you are still unable to find an answer, you may contact the Central Regional Director (me). The problem Guide is mailed out with the packet comntaining this years problems. you can also download the Program Guide from the this website or the odysseyofthemind.com website. Go to the bottom of the home page and click on the 2009-2010 Program Guide link.

Ö A Spontanaeous/Style Workshop will be held on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 at Black Mountain Elementary School. Cost is $10 per team. Class size is limited and registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis. See the Calender of Events for more information on this workshop.

Ö Central Region Tournament will be Saturday, March 20, 2010 at Grand Canyon University .

· Judges training will be on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010 at Grand Canyon University, School of Nursing.

Ø You will NOT receive this year’s problems until you have paid your International Membership registration fee.

Ø Know the rules! It is your responsibility. The 2009-2010 Problem Guide has all the rules & is very important to review.

Ø Additional resources can be found under the Resources & Links tab on this website. Here you can find & download the Arizona Coaches Manual.

Ø Trainings & workshops are offered to assist coaches & teams. Plan to take advantage of
these opportunities.

Ø Problem synopses are just that. They are not the problem. Coaches/Teams need to read the actual problem for full details. Read & re-read the problem.

Ø Tournaments are large events that take many volunteers. Remember that each team competing must provide one (1) volunteer to be trained as a judge and one (1) volunteer to be a worker the day of the Central Region tournament. Judges are required to attend a 4 hour training course in February. Tournament workers only need to show up & work a 2 hour shift the day of the tournament. A $50 penalty fee will be assessed for each volunteer not provided by a team. We don’t want your money, we need your volunteers.

Ø Have fun! Odyssey of the Mind is not about winning. It is about developing life long skills as a creative, problem-solver.

Deana Wingate
Central Region Director
central@azodyssey.org
Arizona Odyssey of the Mind